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Summary: From 1895 to 1922 a newspaper began in little Girard, Ks. under the editorial leadership of J. A. Wayland. The paper openly embraced the then new ideals of revolutionary socialism.

It was called the Appeal to Reason and circulation soared to a record of more than 1 million copies a week during it's heyday. It was and still remains, the largest circulated socialist newspaper ever published in the United States. You will hear some voices of those who have studied it's history and some readings from it. Many thanks to Professor John Graham and Fred Whitehead for their voices and thoughts on this effort as part of our May 1st, International Worker's Day celebration. Music courtesy Utah Phillips, Ry Cooder, David Rovics and Pete Seegar, who opens the show with a rare version of the ancient anthem of "l'Intenationale" ... our thanks.

Credits: Produced by Michael Caddell at The Fightin Cock Flyer, http://fightincockflyer.blogspot.com

Notes: This two-part (four hour) show was broadcast on May 1st, International Workers Day, 2010 as our commemoration of the old socialist newspaper from Girard, Ks. 1895 - 1922, the Appeal to Reason, as published by J.A. Wayland and edited by the "fighting editor" Fred Warren.

Professor John Graham contributed greatly to this effort on Radio Free Kansas along with Fred Whitehead, who we and our class brothers and sisters are greatly in debt to. It features readings from Graham's book "Yours for the Revolution" (1991, University of Nebraska Press), a discussion with him about the newspaper, music and more hidden heritage talks from Dr. Fred Whitehead.

Musicians included: David Rovics, Utah Phillips, Frank Prophet, Billy Bragg digital tracks available below. We hope you appreciate this special edition of our show, by downloading it and sharing it with people in your life. History Matters!